Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I figured as much, but I didn’t expect to be this disappointed by it.
Dylan steps forward and wraps his arms around my back. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want this. You and me. That hasn’t changed. We can make it work.”
I slap his butt. “You bet your ass we’re going to make this work.”
“Hurry up,” Domino complains. “You’re ruining my special day, and the others will be here soon. They were right behind us.”
We follow Domino into the house, but with every step I take, the longer I hold my breath. Then I see it. Everything is completely different. Gone are the tacky lamps, rugs, and “retro” couches, and they’re replaced with black leather, glass tables, plain white ornaments.
“You redid the whole place?” I ask.
“Think of it as a gift,” Domino says. His smile is back, and my heart sinks.
“A gift for what? You’re quitting, aren’t you? You’re leaving Mike Bravo, and this was your way of telling me.”
“Hell no. I’m Mike Bravo for life. Or, you know, until I find a woman to marry and she tells me I have to stop acting like a grown-ass manchild. But it’s a gift because you lost, and I dunno how your boyfriend feels about it, but I can’t wait to have my name tattooed on your ass. Speaking of which, Tully, you can show your face now.”
The guy who tattooed my sleeve for me steps around the corner.
I shove Domino. “It wasn’t on the ass. That was never the bet.” I point to Tully. “Not on my ass.”
“You’re going to have another man’s name tattooed on your body?” Dylan asks.
“Oh no, are you so possessive of me you won’t let me do it? What a shame. Sorry, Dom. You’re my brother, and I love you like family, but the boyfriend says no.” I should’ve had a relationship sooner.
“What? When did I say no? I was asking because I think it’s funny. I’m all for it. Especially because I know how it happened.”
“And look at that. Our official relationship lasted …” I look at my pretend watch. “Less than twenty-four hours. What good is having a boyfriend if they don’t get you out of things?”
“Saddle up, boss,” Domino says.
I pull off my shirt and go sit on the chair they have set up for me next to Tully’s tattoo machine.
“So if we’re not doing this on your ass, where is it going?” Tully asks as he puts on his gloves.
Before I can answer, the front door opens, and a loud “Holy fuck” echoes through the space.
It’s followed by murmurs of “What happened?” and “Trav’s going to make us do torture training just to get his anger out on whatever went on here. All his pretty things are gone.”
“You mean ugly things,” I call out.
They round the corner to the living room where I’m sitting, and while Domino fills them in on what’s going on, I tell Tully to add Domino’s name at the tip of my shoulder, running along the top of my sleeve. But then that gives me an idea.
Everyone is distracted checking out the new furnishings to notice when I tell Tully I want a second tattoo as well.
I sit back, ready and waiting for Tully to start. Any chance I get to close my eyes, I’m there, but when I sense someone watching, I open them to find Dylan staring at my chest with heat in his gaze.
Note to self: be shirtless more often.
Tully’s quick with Domino’s name after I tell him I trust him with font and placing. That would be risky with any other tattoo artist, but this is the genius who made my sleeve look like a bionic arm. He can handle a name … or two.
When he’s done, and I want my second tattoo, I call out to Dom. “Your name is officially on my skin.”
Everyone laughs.
“Why don’t you all go play with explosives or guns or—”
“I have my RPG with me,” Iris says.
Damn, I should have said RPG twenty minutes ago because the room clears out immediately. Boys and their toys.
Dylan is the only one to hesitate.
“You want to go play with the rocket launcher, don’t you?” I ask.
“A little.”
“Go. You’re the only one I trust to make sure they don’t blow up my house. I already have to pay for Iris’s rebuild. I’ll be out there as soon as we’re cleaned up in here.”
Dylan kisses me on the cheek and follows after the guys.
“Now, where do you want this second tat?” Tully asks.
I point to the spot right above my left pec. “Five letters. Easy.”
Tully settles in and gets to work.
Tully doesn’t even flinch when the sound of exploding grenades starts going off. Thankfully. And just as he’s putting on the bandage over my chest, everyone comes back inside with wide smiles.